Paranormal investigators

John Noble, Anna Torv, Jasika Nicole, Joshua Jackson

Ben Mark Holzberg / Associated Press

By Jevon Phillips and Patrick Kevin Day, Los Angeles Times Staff Writers J.J. Abrams' latest series, "Fringe" is already drawing comparisons to another Fox series about FBI agents investigating claims of the paranormal -- "The X-Files." The immediate comparison may not hold as soon as "Fringe" has a few episodes to establish its own identity, but it's worth noting that "The X-Files" didn't invent the paranormal investigation format, there were a bunch of kids in a Mystery Machine around long before Mulder and Scully got their badges and trenchcoats. But while some investigators seem to keep coming back from the dead, others were quickly dispatched to the entertainment graveyard.

By Jevon Phillips and Patrick Kevin Day, Los Angeles Times Staff Writers J.J. Abrams' latest series, "Fringe" is already drawing comparisons to another Fox series about FBI agents investigating claims of the paranormal -- "The X-Files." The immediate comparison may not hold as soon as "Fringe" has a few episodes to establish its own identity, but it's worth noting that "The X-Files" didn't invent the paranormal investigation format, there were a bunch of kids in a Mystery Machine around long before Mulder and Scully got their badges and trenchcoats. But while some investigators seem to keep coming back from the dead, others were quickly dispatched to the entertainment graveyard. (Ben Mark Holzberg / Associated Press)

'The Dresden Files' The show: Harry Dresden is a wizard who helps the police out with "strange" cases that require his talents. Other main characters include a cop, a Warden of the High Council (wizard governing body), and a disembodied spirit. Typical villain: Magical beings, and sometimes just clever criminals. Ability: Magic. Spells for revealing truths, picking locks, fighting evil spells. Longevity: The show only lasted one season, despite being produced by Nicolas Cage. So, magical movies where the central character is named Harry don't always draw crowds.

'The Dresden Files' The show: Harry Dresden is a wizard who helps the police out with "strange" cases that require his talents. Other main characters include a cop, a Warden of the High Council (wizard governing body), and a disembodied spirit. Typical villain: Magical beings, and sometimes just clever criminals. Ability: Magic. Spells for revealing truths, picking locks, fighting evil spells. Longevity: The show only lasted one season, despite being produced by Nicolas Cage. So, magical movies where the central character is named Harry don't always draw crowds. (Steve Wilkie / Sci Fi Channel)